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The past twelve months saw another challenging year for Canberrans. The demand for our commissioned services continued to increase due to rising pressures on the health care system, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our community, particularly in the areas of mental health, and alcohol and other drugs.
To meet our community need, Capital Health Network (CHN) allocated over $20 million to commissioned service providers in 2021/22. This is an increase of $5 million from the previous year and highlights the commitment and adaptability of our commissioned service providers to provide care to their clients, even during lockdowns.
Many personal stories have been included in this report to highlight the role of our commissioned services within our community. These client stories demonstrate the positive outcomes that have been achieved across our nine key priority areas of mental health, aged care, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, digital health, alcohol and other drugs, workforce, care across the continuum, vulnerable groups, and chronic disease management. My thanks to all the commissioned services for the valuable work they do.
Some key highlights from the year include the launches of:
- the second headspace centre in Canberra, located in Tuggeranong, which has increased mental and physical health support for young Canberrans. CHN commissions Grand Pacific Health to run headspace Tuggeranong and headspace Canberra.
- the new Canberra Head to Health Centre which has supported the mental health and wellbeing of Canberrans. CHN commissions Think Mental Health to run this centre.
- the expansion of the Withdrawal Support Service which has enabled more Canberrans, in their comfort of their own home, to safely reduce their use of alcohol or other drugs. CHN commissions Karralika Programs to run this service.
I’d like to thank our CEO, Megan Cahill who along with the Executive team has led CHN with drive and passion. Staff members at CHN are the key to organisational success. We are blessed with a workforce who demonstrate commitment, flexibility, and excellence in supporting primary health care professionals and our commissioned service providers.
I’d also like to thank my fellow Board Directors for their direction, dedication, and ongoing contributions to strategic issues. We farewelled Professor Peter Radoll who relocated interstate, and Professor Mark Cormack, and welcomed Mr Peter Quiggin PSM KC to the Board, grateful for his expertise which has further strengthened our Board governance and strategic goals. We remain ably guided by our three Advisory Councils – the General Practice Advisory Council, Community Advisory Council and ACT Clinical Council. I extend my thanks and gratitude to all who give their time and expertise to help CHN meet its goals.
We look forward to continuing our role of working in partnership with governments, stakeholders, and the local community to integrate health care, strengthen health equity and improve health outcomes for Canberra and our region.
On behalf of the CHN Board, I am pleased to present our Annual Report 2021/22.
Kind regards
Julie Blackburn
CHN Chair
From the CEO
To primary health care professionals working through the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, I thank you for your ongoing compassionate care of your patients despite difficult conditions. You continue to provide the best care to your patients and for this we are most grateful.
CHN continued to support the three GP Respiratory Clinics (GPRC) across the ACT dedicated to supporting the communities and increasing access to COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. Over the past year, the GPRCs conducted over 36,000 respiratory assessments and COVID-19 tests.
I’m proud that CHN played a key role in supporting primary care to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to the community, particularly vulnerable people, aged care staff and residents. Over the past year we did this by:
- supporting 85 participating general practices and the three Commonwealth Vaccination Centres (CVCs) in the GPRC. Over 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered to the public through primary care settings over the last year in the ACT, including CVCs, general practices and pharmacies.
- collaborating with 28 residential aged care facilities, Aspen Medical and GPs to coordinate COVID-19 vaccinations for residents and aged care workers achieving 100% vaccination amongst workers and over 95% vaccination amongst residents in the ACT.
- supporting vulnerable people to access over 3,600 COVID-19 vaccines through direct vaccine administration, home visits, supporting transportation and health promotion activities, through the Vulnerable Person’s Vaccination Funding.
I look forward to continuing to collaborate with consumers, primary health care professionals and stakeholders. I hope you enjoy reading this Annual Report to understand how all the wonderful CHN staff are working to improve the health outcomes of Canberrans.
Kind regards
Megan Cahill
CHN CEO
